Boot and shoe fastening.



S. WEATHERLEY.

BOOT AND SHOE FASTENING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1914.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

i @Tf f teena BOOT FASTENING. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916..

Application filed May 14, 1914. Serial No. 838,454.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, STUART WEATI-IERLEY, a subject of the King of England, and resident of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot and Shoe Fastenings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fastenings for boots and shoes of the form having an opening in the front part of the upper which partially closes over a tongue, the two sides of the opening ordinarily being secured by means of lacings.

The object of the invention is to provide means for elastically connecting the two sides of the opening to insure the fitting of the upper about the ankle of the wearer of the boot or shoe and to enhance the comfort of the wearer to a point impossible with the inelastic lacings commonly used.

The invention consists in providing elastic fastenings for drawing together the two sides of the opening in the upper of the boot or shoe and in forming the two sides or edges in a suitable manner for the attachment of the elastic fastenings.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure l is a front view of the upper portion of a boot or shoe, showing one application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view across the opening of the shoe showing one of the fastenings in place. Fig. 3 is a front view of a boot or shoe showing another embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings similar parts are indicated by similar numerals in the several figures.

The upper portion 1 of the boot or shoe has an opening with diverging sides as shown, so that the widest part of the open ing 2 is at the top. The edges 3 and 3 of the upper are formed or curled about central cords 4 and 4t consisting of a helix made of fine wire which preserves the round contour of the bead into which the leather is formed but preserves its flexibility. Any other suitable cord may be used, for instance, a round strip or string of leather or other substance which will maintain its original cross section and longitudinal flexibility. The two sides 3 and 3* of the shoe are secured by means of a series of elastic fastenings 5 provided with hooks 5 at their ends for engaging with the sides 3 and 3 of the opening. The fastenings shown in the drawings consist of helical springs of resilient wire. In the form shown the convolutions of the helix are set at an acute angle with the axis instead of being retained at the natural pitch at which they were wound. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 that this makes the diameter in the horizontal plane considerably less than the vertical diameter of the wire coil; the obvious advantage being that the fastening lies flat against the tongue of the shoe and presents a less obstrusive appearance than if the fastenin s were not flattened as shown.

In ig. 3 the set or series of fastenings 5 is attached to a cord or shoe string 6 made of leather or other suitable material such as a woven cotton fabric. The string 6 to which the several fastenings are attached is shown extending up one side of the opening in the shoe. At the bottom the string 6 is attached to the shoe and at the top it is shown secured by a clip 7 attached to the upper of the shoe, so that after the series of fastenings 5 is drawn into the position by means of the string, they will be prevented from working downward because the upper end of the cord is held securely in place by the clip 7. If desired, a similar cord may be used on the other side of the opening, thereby providing means for drawing both ends of the fastenings upward simultaneously and securing them to prevent them from working down.

What I claim is l. A shoe fastening device of the character described, comprising a number of independent flat coiled spring members each having integrally formed hook-shaped portions at each end extending at right angles to the flat portion thereof and adapted to be slidably and also detachably engaged with both sides of the shoe opening.

2. A device of the character described, adapted for use with a shoe provided with an opening and beads formed on opposite sides of the opening, comprising a number of fasteners each consisting of a substantially flat coiled spring member having an integral extension on both ends bent at right Signed in the city, county and State of angles to the flat portion thereof to form New York, this 11th day of May, 1914. hook members adapted to slide freely upon STUART VVEATHERLEY.

the shoe beads, and a flexible member con- WVitnesses: 5 nected to the fasteners for sliding the same Lnwls J. DOOLITTLE,

into various positions on the beads. LOU'ELLA F. LlTTLE.

Copies of this patent, may be obtained for five oents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O. 

